Since it's already late morning, start with a relaxed visit to the Mysore Palace—arrive around 11:30-12:00 to join a guided walk through the ornate durbar halls, royal portraits and the dazzling chandeliers, then linger in the palace grounds to photograph the intricate façades. After the palace, stroll across to the nearby Jaganmohan Palace & Art Gallery to admire traditional Mysore paintings and the famous Raja Ravi Varma works before grabbing a quick filter coffee and a light snack at a café on Sayyaji Rao Road.
Head up Chamundi Hill in the early afternoon to visit the Chamundeshwari Temple and take in sweeping views over Mysore; allow time to climb the Nandi statue at the hill base and explore the temple complex's Mysore-style carvings. Descend to the city and wander through Devaraja Market — taste seasonal fruits, sample Mysore pak sweets, shop for silk scarves and sandalwood souvenirs, and enjoy a leisurely lunch at a nearby restaurant serving traditional Karnataka thali.
As dusk falls, return to the palace precinct to see the Mysore Palace illuminated (check the schedule — illumination often begins around 7:00 PM) for a spectacular photo opportunity and an atmospheric walk around the lit gardens. Finish the night with a relaxed dinner on MG Road or in the lively Nazarbad area, choosing from local favorites such as dosas, kebabs or a riverside café, then sip chai while soaking up the town's colonial-era charm before heading back to your accommodation.